Thakur last played white-ball cricket for India in 2023 World Cup.
Shardul Thakur, who had made his India debut in 2017, has played 13 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 25 T20Is.
“It’s important for me to keep performing and eventually return to the Indian team. Good performances will help me in the selection. The ODI World Cup is also in South Africa, so there might be a place open for a bowling all-rounder at No. 8. I am eyeing that spot,” Thakur was quoted by the Times of India after Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy game ended in a draw against Chhattisgarh.
India experimented with Harshit Rana in the recent Australia ODIs, as Hardik Pandya was unavailable due to injury. Nitish Kumar Reddy is also seen as an option for the spot.
However, with the ODI World Cup more than one and a half years away, a lot may change before then. Thakur, however, is focused on the task at hand, saying, “I am ready to play international cricket. My preparation is such that if tomorrow I am asked to play international cricket, I am ready for that.”
Shardul Thakur last played white-ball cricket for India in the 2023 World Cup and Test cricket in the recent England tour. He was overlooked as India went with Nitish Kumar Reddy for the home Test series against the West Indies.
Shardul Thakur also spoke on Yashasvi Jaiswal joining the Mumbai Ranji team for their next match against Rajasthan, starting in Jaipur from November 1.
“He has never disappointed and has put up big scores. When he gets in there, when he is set, he makes sure that he scores a big hundred. That’s a big positive,” said Thakur.
(Times of India inputs)